Reading is one of life’s joys and it can be done for free. You will probably mix your reading options, from entertainment to education to research. At some point, you may have included historical fiction in your choice. That’s pretty much it, from eons ago to WWII, and it includes stories from the Civil War and the Vietnam War era. There is never a shortage of stories in any time period that will capture your interest.
Some of the more popular historical authors tend to base their stories on a well-known historical figure in a strong leading role. Tudor and medieval times are as popular as almost any time period from Neanderthals to the 20th century.
There are some differences of opinion regarding the definition of historical fiction, but according to the Providence Public Library, it is generally accepted that it is stated 50 or more years before and written from research. There are as many categories and subgenres as there are authors, although the best known are probably the traditional historical novels that faithfully follow a historical event. Sagas can follow specific groups of people over time, while Western historical novels involve the American West. Historical novels can also include mysteries, romances, or adventures with protagonists who travel with great difficulty.
The stories of the Vietnam era may fall into the historical realm at this point, and one of the notable and rising authors, a veteran, is Bob Meyer, that produces pseudo-autobiographical feats. You may have also read a June Collins’ novel called “Bye Junie Moon” roughly the same time period set in Vietnam and not entirely fictional. Older people may remember the scandal you ran into and wrote about it leading to Congressional hearings.
The biography “Calvin Many Wolves Potter”, written by its great-great-granddaughter, Elaine Brooks held. Held weaves the bittersweet tale of twelve-year-old Calvin Potter sneaking into the night from an abusive father in Pennsylvania. She does an amazing job putting you in her loafers when he is discovered near death and is carefully and patiently cared for by the Sisseton Sioux of Minnesota. Held weaves a fascinating tale of Calvin as he integrates himself into the Dakota nation by becoming Many Wolves, learning the language, adopting its ways, and becoming warriors. However, as the white man continues to raid his territory, he is forced to return to the people from whom he was born; but he is no longer white, and he is no longer Native American.
The biography, “Charlie Chaplin-A Short Life”, written by Peter ackroyd. Ackroyd did a splendid job painting a picture of Charlie the man (with all his warts), Charlie the actor, and Charlie the innovative powerhouse cinema.
While most people over the age of 30 know the name, few of us are familiar with the impact his life had, not just in the United States (his adoptive nation), but around the world, early in the year. film technology of the twentieth century.
Born in the London suburbs to an alcoholic and psychologically unstable mother, he discovers a natural talent as a copycat and establishes an image as “Little Tramp”. The timing was perfect for her character and she quickly finds a new home in silent movies in America.
Without being a fan of the cast, crew, or directors, he quickly strove to become the dominant personality and expanded the then-popular “reel” (a reel of approximately 13 minutes) by two. Actually, it was Chaplin, along with Douglas Fairbanks, DW Griffith, and Mary Pickford who created United Artists. His fanatical attention to detail and the change in the art of acting itself along with differences in camera use and filming started a volatile change in the film industry.
While the man himself, which I could see, was a despot, he actually started an evolution in the film industry. And, after all his personal scandals, he was finally revered and awarded an honorary Academy Award.
Fortunately, in a period of digital and e-books, you don’t even have to leave your home to ensure a good read, and many of these are offered for free. The popularity of bookstores and printed books is experiencing a resurgence. Libraries and book clubs can still pack them. Time to snuggle up with a good bio.